Kidney Connection Newsletter
FALL 2006
Features:
- NxStage is the Next Stage in Hemodialysis Treatment
- US Transplant Games brings Thousands to Louisville
- Kidney Walk: Walking the Path to Prevention
- Prevent Kidney Disease KEEP Screening
- 2006 Golf Tournament Results
- Need Help? Dial 2-1-1!
- News Update from the National Kidney Foundation of Kentucky
NxStage is the Next Stage in Hemodialysis Treatment
by: Andreas R. Price
If you are a patient having to deal with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), I hope you recognize the importance of a positive attitude when it comes to trying to maintain your health. Part of keeping that positive attitude is a desire to take more ownership over your own care and treatment. Many dialysis patients have been searching for a treatment method that allows them both the convenience and the flexibility of choosing their own treatment times without having to be concerned about compromising their health. While peritoneal dialysis may be an option, hemodialysis patients have been limited in their choices for home treatments. Because of my own busy schedule, which includes frequent travel out of town, I was looking for an alternative to having to schedule my in-clinic treatments at a unit in another city. As such, when I was approached with the opportunity to participate in the NxStage hemodialysis home training program sponsored by the University of Louisville, I quickly jumped at the chance because of the personal freedom and fulfillment it offered.
Because of my own busy schedule, which includes frequent travel out of town, I was looking for an alternative to having to schedule my in-clinic treatments at a unit in another city. As such, when I was approached with the opportunity to participate in the NxStage hemodialysis home training program sponsored by the University of Louisville, I quickly jumped at the chance because of the personal freedom and fulfillment it offered.
NxStage treatments are normally done six days per week, but only for approximately two hours per treatment versus the standard 4 to 4 1/2 hour treatments done three times per week in-clinic. While the frequency of six days per week might be a drawback, the improvement in health and wellbeing makes the more frequent treatments worth it. Also, the more frequent treatments are offset by the flexibility provided by performing dialysis in the comfort of the patient's own home (or wherever the patient chooses).
While the NxStage provides numerous benefits, three particular benefits stand out:
1. It provides more patients with access to home hemodialysis.
2. It improves overall patient health and gives patients greater control over their treatment and their lives.
3. Because of the portability of the machine and no need for a dedicated pure water source, it allows patients the ability to travel.
Andreas R. Price has been an ESRD patient for 26 years and returned to dialysis in 2003 after nearly 14 years of transplantation.
US Transplant Games brings Thousands to Louisville
More than 1,200 athletes competed in their own field of dreams at the National Kidney Foundation’s Olympicstyle 2006 U.S. Transplant Games held in Louisville in June. The four day athletic event showcased the success of transplantation while calling for the critical need for organ donors. Over 7,000 spectators were at the Games.
Team Kentucky marched in the Opening Ceremonies boasting 65 athletes from ages five to 75. Altogether, Team Kentucky earned 46 medals among fourteen sports.
The 2008 US Transplant Games will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 11- 16. University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) will serve as the host facility.
The 16th World Transplant Games will be held next year in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 50 countries are expected to participate.
For the complete medal results or for more information on upcoming Transplant Games, please visit www.transplantgames.com. For more information on Team Kentucky, please call 502-585-5433 or visit www.nkfk.org.
Kidney Walk: Walking the Path to Prevention
Chronic kidney disease is a public health issue affecting 20 million Americans. The NKFK Kidney Walk, held on September 16, brought together dialysis patients, organ transplant recipients, donor families, and others in the medical community to celebrate life and walk the path to the prevention of kidney disease.
The KidneyWalk welcomed Honorary Chair and guest speaker, Louisville Metro Councilman and kidney patient George Unseld. Councilman Unseld welcomed over 250 walkers and encouraged all to continue the fight against kidney disease. Walkers of all ages enjoyed the 2 mile walk at Waterfront Park and visited the Wellness Tent, Hero’s Tent, Activity Center, and Silent Auction Area.
Generous contributions from corporate sponsors and individuals totaled over $40,000, funding that will support the Foundation’s mission of making lives better for those affected by kidney disease and organ donation.
Thank you to all who supported this year’s KidneyWalk and a special thanks to our volunteers. The KidneyWalk couldn’t have been successful without your support!
Prevent Kidney Disease KEEP Screening
Just last year, over 2,000 people were diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the state of Kentucky. In 2005, the NKFK screened 722 participants for CKD and its leading causes, high blood pressure and diabetes. The results are staggering: 7% learned they have diabetes, 12% learned they have hypertension, 66% learned they have kidney disease, and 87% of participants had at least one value out of the normal range.
The Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), a free screening offered to those at increased risk of developing CKD, provided these individuals with lifesaving information otherwise unavailable to them. The NKFK continues to conduct these thorough, one hour screenings throughout the state and Southern Indiana. KEEP screenings include blood pressure and weight measurements, blood and urine analysis, and consultation with an onsite health professional. Participants are also provided with physician referrals for followup care and a variety of educational materials.
For more KEEP information or to make an appointment, please call the NKFK office at 1-800-737-LIFE.
2006 Golf Tournament Results
The National Kidney Foundation of Kentucky continues to host one of the most premier golf events for charity in the country. 200 golfers competed in the 2006 NKF Golf Classic held at Lake Forest Country Club on June 26, 2006. Brad Rives and John Voyles, Jr., co-chaired the event again and provided another outstanding year with almost $224,000 in gross revenue to benefit the National Kidney Foundation of Kentucky. Golfers from across the globe graced the challenging, yet spectacular course managed by Golf Pro Matt Taylor. The double flight tournament produced two first place teams; National Environmental Contracting and E.ON-US. Congratulations to both teams, great job and enjoy the National Tournament at Pebble Beach in 2007!
On July 26, 2006 another team was added to the National tournament register for Pebble Beach in 2007. Team WKYT-TV Lexington took first place at the NKF Cadillac Invitational held at the University Club. Golf Chairman Chris Chaffin of Traditional Bank and the committee made possible another great event doubling the net revenue from last year. Thanks to all who made that possible and to our Platinum sponsor, Quantrell Cadillac. We look forward to seeing everyone there again next year.
Need Help? Dial 2-1-1!
The NKFK is a participating organization in the Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 call system, a service that connects people to community resources. A 2-1-1 caller is connected with a counselor who directs them to organizations that can assist them with their needs. Metro United Way CEO Joe Tolan says 2-1-1 will “help people navigate what can be a complicated network of services.” Callers will receive information on a wide range of community organizations that provide anything from clothing to support groups. 2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and serves Southern Indiana (Clark, Floyd, and Harrison) and nine counties in Kentucky (Bullitt, Carroll, Jefferson, Henry, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble).
News Update from the National Kidney Foundation of Kentucky
The NKFK is proud to announce that the Kentucky Medical Association adopted a CKD resolution written by Dr. R. Scott Cornell. The resolution, titled “Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate in Chronic Kidney Disease,” recognizes the growing public health concern CKD has become and calls for physicians to recognize the importance of GFR. The resolution states, “[it is] resolved, that the KentuckyMedical Association urges physicians to consider ordering a glomerular filtration rate calculation when a serum creatinine is ordered on patients at highest risk for kidney disease.” The Bowling Green Chapter is heading up the first Kidneys in the Classroom Program in the area in October. Chapter volunteers will introduce the program to hundreds of students in Warren County. Kentucky passed the Donor Registry Bill. Contact Trust for Life at 1-866-945-5433 for more information regarding the registry and how to sign up.
You can learn more about this exciting news in the next issue of Kidney Connection!
A Publication of the National Kidney Foundation of Kentucky
